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Canada limited in preventing wider Mideast crisis, amid humanitarian plight: experts

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Oct, 2023 11:03 AM

Experts say Canada has limited options as it works diplomatic channels to try preventing clashes in Israel and Palestinian territories from escalating into a wider, regional war.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says she's in touch with counterparts in the region, as the fallout from Hamas's brazen surprise attacks on Israel Saturday threatens to engulf multiple countries.

Canadians in or around an area affected by attacks in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank:

➡️ Register with Global Affairs Canada:https://t.co/YjxBjqDCGy

➡️ Request emergency assistance:https://t.co/qThcUOXveD pic.twitter.com/eZWoyGh9es
— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) October 7, 2023

Since the beginning of this crisis, Canadian officials have been working around the clock to support Canadians.

The missions in #TelAviv and #Ramallah remained operational through the weekend and will continue to be.
— Foreign Policy CAN (@CanadaFP) October 9, 2023

University of Ottawa professor Costanza Musu says that while some countries in the region are offering to mediate talks between Israeli and Palestinian actors, they are likely more concerned with their own geopolitical interests rather than ending the bloodshed, which already has killed at least 1,800 people.

She notes that Canada has been a staunch supporter of Israel in recent decades, including when Israeli officials diverge from Ottawa's official policy of advocating for a two-state solution to the protracted conflict.

Musu says Israel's restrictions on essential services in Hamas-controlled Gaza, along with a likely ground offensive, will put increasing strain on countries like Canada as they voice support for Israel's response to the violence.

The humanitarian group Save the Children is calling for all players in the region to stop fighting, even at interim intervals, so that civilians can be sent essential medicines and food.

The group's director for Palestinian territories, Jason Lee, said children in both Israel and Gaza are traumatized from past explosions and artillery fire, and that they can't process those memories if they're continually exposed to conflict.

"In order to protect all children, we must stop this endless cycle of violence," said Lee.

Lee said it's clear a "humanitarian catastrophe" is looming that nobody is adequately prepared to deal with.

"The events that have unfolded in the last four days are horrific. But my fear is what is to come."

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